UB ventures into funding, invests $250,000 in student-founded startup
Summary
“By providing students, faculty, staff and researchers with the support they need to take a kernel of an idea and turn it into a product or service that benefits society, we are catalyzing the next generation of great startups right here in Buffalo. During my freshman days as a student software assistant at CBLS [Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences], I still remember the excitement I felt watching companies pitch there and experiencing the dynamism of the entrepreneurs I met, often leading me to wonder how I could build my own venture. The system utilizes AI, neural networks and thermal imaging technologies to identify obstructions such as stationary objects, people or other boats and provide warnings to crews to safely navigate around them. While working seamlessly with today’s gas-powered engines, the forward-thinking Pegasus technology is designed to provide a fully autonomous boating experience when combined with future electrified transport such as water taxis and ferries. By providing students, faculty, staff and researchers with the support they need to take a kernel of an idea and turn it into a product or service that benefits society, we are catalyzing the next generation of great startups right here in Buffalo,” says Christina Orsi, UB associate vice president for economic development.